Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith says consistency is key for climbing up the Championship table.

St Mirren are well in front in the league with Livingston nine points behind after losing just one of their last six.

The Doonhamers have not managed to build up a run like that, but the gaffer is hoping they can as they look to build on last week’s 1-1 draw with Morton and secure the playoffs.

Queens will also be looking for a repeat performance of December’s 5-2 victory over Dunfermline at East End Park.

Naysmith added: “Saturday’s game against Morton is going to be pretty similar to Dunfermline – it’s too close to call.

“We played really well against Dunfermline and they had an off day and that can happen in the Championship.

“It’s not a must win but both sides will want to win three points. It’s tight in the league right down to Falkirk. They play Dumbarton and if they win that it brings them even closer to us. Every team can beat each other.

“I think St Mirren will win the league, but I think the teams in third and fourth will have the lowest points total in recent years because the teams are so evenly balanced.

“When I think back to when we won the league with East Fife we won it with eight or nine defeats, there was nothing in it.

“It’s about who can put a consistent run together. St Mirren have done it, Livingston and Morton have done it while the rest of us haven’t. Falkirk have put together a run recently.”

On the injury front Alan Martin, Danny Carmichael, Derek Lyle, Joe Thomson and Owen Bell could miss out on Saturday. It’s hoped Thomson will be fit to play on Tuesday night.

Another player who will make the squad is young keeper Sam Henderson.

He was injured while working on his dad’s farm but only missed Tuesday’s training session.

It is going to be a busy week for Queens with two games in four days as they travel to Tannadice on Tuesday night.

Gary Naysmith said: “We need to watch the likes of Jordan Marshall and Kyle Jacobs who have just come back from injury.

“We need to see how they are and assess if they can do two games in four days. “As far as team selection is concerned I’m only looking ahead to Saturday right now.

After that game we’ll assess the players fitness.

“I won’t pick a team for Saturday with one eye on Tuesday I’m looking at one game at a time.” Saturday’s game at Palmerston kicks off at 3pm.